Kurunegala -is the capital of the Wayamba Province, Sri Lanka and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was also an ancient royal capital for 50 years, from the end of the 13th century to the start of the 13th century. The town itself is a busy commercial and a transport hub. Kurunegala is located at the junction of several main roads linking to other important parts of the country. It is situated about 94 km from Colombo, and 42 km from Kandy.

Located at an altitude of 116 meters above sea level, Kurunegala is surrounded by coconut plantations and rubber estates. There are eight very noticeable large rocks that encircle and dominate the city. Kurunegala's rocks rise from the plain below and have characteristic names, six of which come from the animals that they are imagined to represent. The largest among them is Ethagala or the "Elephant Rock" (though the translation is actually Tusker), reaches 325 meters. The shape of Ethagala resembles an Elephant.

Kurunegala enjoys a pleasant location overlooked by huge rocky outcrops some of which have been given names of the animals they resemble: Elephant rock, Tortoise rock etc. According to folklore legend, long time back the city had experienced a severe drought. To exacerbate matters for the humans, animals had threatened the city's storage capabilities by consuming huge amounts of water. Fortunately for the humans, a witch had volunteered to alleviate the problem, transforming some of the animals magically into stone figures.

Kurunegala had a citadel in the thirteenth century. It's ascendancy as an ancient capital of Sri Lanka, began with a series of events that took place during the late 12th century at Yapahuwa. The sacred tooth relic which was in the Yapahuwa Kingdom was taken away by a warlord Arya Chackrawarthi to the Pandyan country during the rule of Buwaneka Bahu I from 1272 to 1284[1]. The tooth relic was brought back by King Parakrama Bahu III who ruled from Kurunegala between 1287 to 1293[2]. Over the next half a century Kurunegala was the capital and the governing centre for three other kings of Sri Lanka.

After the death of King Parakrama Bahu III, Kings Buvanekabahu II (1293–1302) who was followed by Parakramabahu IV (1302–1326) ruled from Kurunegala. The ruler in Kurunegala from 1326 to 1335 was Buwaneka Bahu III alias Wanni Buwaneka Bahu. He was the son of Pandith Parakrama Bahu II and is believed to be the last king to rule the country from Kurunegala.

After the reign of Buwaneka Bahu III, the newly throned king Vijayabahu V ruled from Dambadeniya and Yapahuwa from 1335 to 1341 before once again the kingdom of Sri Lanka shifted to Gampola.

Few remains of the Palace of the Tooth relic that housed the tooth of the Buddha have avoided natural destruction, including few stone steps and a part of a doorway.

We went to the Sigiriya in the morning.we participated the jeep safari in Sigiriya.Sarath Safari Sigiriya is the name of this.this owner dropped us to airport.before to arrived the airport owner tour guider bring us to here

A great value for us Buddhists

Chattha M [TA], 21 March 2016,

Great trip,there . we want there for a poya day as I remembered. T he place has a high cultural and religious value. A must to see nearby kurunegala. Very popular around the area

Good Place to visit

kasthuri7 [TA], 28 Feb. 2016, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka

Do not miss this Buddhist cultural place when you passing Kurunegala city. only 30 min drive from City.

Impressive

Yona S [TA], 25 Jan. 2016,

We went to see this huge Budha and indeed it is very impressivehow they carved it from a huge rock of granite.not much more to say about it. Yona S.

Amazing place to be visited..New place but worth being there

Prakash S [TA], 24 Dec. 2015,

It is an amazing place to be...worth a watch comes on the way from Negombo to Habarana !!! What a sight to be...!!! For trekkers and trek lovers recommend early hours or late evenings like 4ish type...For people who can walk much it also has road which goes upto the top of the monument from the back side with hardly any walk left...little bit of work to be done yet from the landscape and surrounding is concerned...but definitely not to be missed as slowly this place will be visited by a lot of people soon and will an upcoming tourist destination.

A great symbol of Determination

wadhane [TA], 14 Dec. 2015, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka

There was a picture of little Dhamma school students who collected some little money and donating to the Chief incumbent of this Buddhist temple some years ago. It was due to the great answer of the Chief incumbent to the same students in the Dhamma school.Students asked the Chief Incumbent on what ground we do respond to the Taliban who destroyed great Buddhist statues in Afghanistan?Reply was " We shall build something similar or great instead"The students initiation was paved a way to this great monument.With respect to the investment for such great task, it was an impossible either. We being neighbouring community to this area, the chief incumbent never put burden to anybody, but received genuine donations from state, foreign, public etc to achieve this task as per my knowledge.

It was again a symbol of Ethnic Harmony.Other than the chief incumbent of the temple, The next person behind was Mr. Easwaran of Easwaran Brothers, a leading business man from Colombo. He is a Tamil by ethnicity and helped all the way with out boarders to complete this task. This great Sri Lankan is now honoured by all Sinhalese / Buddhist community.The neighbouring community is of Islam persons also do help to maintain the place. If you are one of the person who visit this place you will not only see worlds tallest Samadhi Buddha Statue, but spiritual qualities of the persons who created this.

The Lord Buddha, the symbol of spiritual qualitiesGreat determination of students and the Chief Incumbent.No boarder values of a great person, Mr. Easwaran.Proactive donations or who donates not as a.. reaction.

Dear Traveller, may your spiritual qualities are enhanced by visiting this great place.WADHANEA person from Kurunegala

One of the 21st century people makes..

Tharindu... [TA], 30 June 2015,

Beauty of this statue is its totally made from natural rock. Nothing bring from outside. This idea came to a one of child in that village when the Bahamian Buddhist statues were destroyed. He came to this temple's head monk and told this idea. And this idea became to a reality. This marvel take to made around 8 years and now its open to everyone. Really nice place and you will understand that still there is talents to do these types of marvels to this generation without using new technology.

Lovely Work of Art

Priyanath... [TA], 16 June 2015, Moratuwa, null, Sri Lanka

It is a must see place.The buddha statue is a real marvel.It is situated on top of a rock.The Indian workmen have done a marvelous job.

Idealistic

Thyaga5 [TA], 07 May 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka

It's made to replace the Bhamian Buddha statues which were destroyed back in the day.started on 2002 & finally ended on 30th of april 2015.Still the surrounding area needs to be properly finished.After the Royal era this is the first massive statue made by Sri Lankans & all the financial aid was gathered from donations.Made by Indian artists statue is 68ft high as i remember.Costed 120 Million Rps & needs 20 more to complete the surrounding area.The giant Buddha Statue sits on a stone lotus in middle of a pond made of stone.Kind of reminds the Golden era of Sri Lankan culture.

Just use the route to Ridee Wehera but Don't turn right just keep on heading straight.Needs to park the vehicle downhill & climb up on the stone stair way.aftter about 500m you'll reach the statue.

No worries you can find many small shops set up by the locals along the way & my opinion take a hat with you for now since it's still under construction.

Nice Buddha statue, visible from the city

UltraCool... [TA], 27 March 2015, Bengaluru (Bangalore), India

It's a nice buddha status on top of the hill. It is also visible from most parts of the town and from the main road.

When we were there there were several wedding couples taking pictures. Great for us foreigners to watch them pose. Monkeys were also jumping around and it's a great view of Kurunegala from up there.

REAL LIFE WONDER ON THE MAKE!

Prem K [TA], 03 Jan. 2015, Blackpool, United Kingdom

In the vicinity of Kurunegala, small town of Rideegama got the blessing of Lord Buddha to have worlds largest Samadhi Buddha statue. Now on the final stages, really it's massive. India's most famous sculpture S.M. Ganapathi Stapathi created this statue with utmost expertise. He is the one created worlds tallest Monolith of Gauthama Buddha staue in Hyderabad in India (58 feet). Once this statue open for public view, the authorities must provide proper facilities for not only the pilgrims but also the tourists who come to see this wonder.

Amazing creation!

Pamila75 [TA], 14 Oct. 2014, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka

Located off Kurunegala city. The statue is carved from a natural granite rock located among short hills. The road is quite easy. The quality of art work is satisfactory. the only negative point is frequent disturbance due to collection of donations. Minimum basic facilities in the vicinity.

WOW

Emma M [TA], 11 Oct. 2014,

This is a beautiful statue. Awesome view of the town. Lots of wildlife - monkeys and insects. Unbelievable how big this is.

Wow!

gsrs [TA], 16 March 2014, usa

This is impressive. A short visit is all that is required to keep this image in your mind for a long time.

World's tallest granite Samadhi Buddha statue in Kurunegala

nuwan4u [TA], 28 Dec. 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka

A granite rock is being transformed to The World's Tallest Buddha Statue. This is situated in Rideegama, 23kms from Kurunegala town.

Final stage of completion

Himantha [TA], 17 Nov. 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka

It is in the final stage of completion.The World's Tallest Buddha Statue by skilful stone masons from India.

World's tallest granite Buddha statue in Kurunegala

Wasantha... [TA], 29 July 2013, Glen Waverley, Australia

A granite rock situated in Rideegama, 23kms from Kurunegala town is being transformed toThe World's Tallest Buddha Statue by skilful stone masons from India. Myth was that ancient stone masons used herbal mixtures to soften the granite, but nothing of a kind and you can see with your own eyes how skilfully they drill, blast and chipping the shapes. Man made granite pond in front of the statue is 7.0 meters deep. The time and money spending on this project is immense but for generations and generations would appreciate this creation like we the current generation value and regard the Awukana Buddha Statue in Kantale, Sri Lanka. This is a must see attraction when you visit Sri Lanka since it's completion is getting closer. The access is easy gradual climb on the granite and half made steps in the making.